Specialist SMSF law firm DBA Lawyers has promoted William Fettes and Shaun Backhaus to director, noting that it recognises their “ongoing commitment to outstanding client service, improving their technical and legal expertise and their ongoing valuable contribution to clients and the firm”.
Fettes and Backhaus join director Daniel Butler and special counsel Bryce Figot in the firm’s senior leadership team.
According to DBA Lawyers, the four are among the most experienced SMSF lawyers in Australia and are supported by a dedicated team of lawyers and other highly trained staff.
“William and Shaun are outstanding lawyers and I am very pleased to see them take this well-deserved step to directorship,” Butler said.
“Their long-term commitment and dedicated service has been crucial in upholding DBA Lawyers’ position as Australia’s leading SMSF law firm.”
Fettes has been with DBA Lawyers since 2015, working across all aspects of superannuation law related to SMSFs with a particular focus on death benefit disputes, succession planning and family law superannuation splitting, as well as federal and state tax law.
“Among his numerous contributions, William developed our comprehensive family law superannuation splitting documentation and our tailored, efficient binding death benefit nomination (BDBN) service,” DBA Lawyers said.
“William is passionate about mentoring and assisting with the training and development of our team of lawyers. William also takes a keen interest in how cutting-edge information technology advancements can best be integrated into legal practice.
“As a key member of DBA Lawyers’ leadership team, he helps drive IT initiatives to enhance the firm’s technological capabilities, aiming to optimise efficiency and improve our delivery to service clients. William also manages our Online Ordering Portal and our Annual Update Service.”
Backhaus joined the firm in 2017 and regularly advises on complex investment structures involving SMSFs, various trust law matters and federal and state taxes.
“Shaun often represents taxpayers in ATO matters such as reviews, audits, disclosures and private rulings where he provides robust advocacy and strategic guidance,” DBA Lawyers said.
“In addition, Shaun has played a pivotal role in expanding DBA Lawyers’ offerings in trust documents and related trust law and tax advice. While DBA Lawyers is well recognised in SMSF documents, we have also developed a solid reputation in trust documents and advice, offering an extensive range of quality trust services.
“Shaun’s insights and experience have been instrumental in developing innovative solutions for clients. Shaun also mentors and assists with the training and development of our team of lawyers.”
According to the firm, the promotions mean DBA Lawyers’ senior leadership team has over 80 years of combined experience.
